March 21, 2004

THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD

"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9, NKJV).

This is one of the most prodigious titles of Christ found in Scripture. Here He is fully invested with all the powers, prerogatives, attributes, and virtues of the Deity. Embodied in Christ is the sum total of all that God is. He satisfies the fullness of creative power, redeeming love, enduring life, and perfection. Every quality of deity--dignity, authority, excellence, and power--rest fully in Christ.

Paul's affirmation that the complete being of God is revealed in Jesus is further emphasized by the adverb "bodily." God's fullness resides in the glorified body of Christ in which He ascended to His heavenly Father (see Philippians 3:21). In this affirmation, those who are redeemed are drawn into oneness with God through Christ. The redeemed are complete in Christ, who is the fullness of God (see Colossians 2:10).

The exciting truth is that Christ has filled our emptiness. We who have been saved have become one united body with Christ and therefore share in His fullness. The apostle John confirms this fact in the prologue to his Gospel: "Of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace" (John 1:16). Those who are redeemed by God's grace, are complete in Christ; their emptiness is filled by His fullness.

Without Christ's fullness, our lives are empty, incomplete, and utterly hopeless. But united with Him and incorporated in Him, we are bonded spiritually to Him. "In Him is gathered all the glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead... The glory of the attributes of God is expressed in His character."--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 115.

My Prayer Today: Redeemer, because You are the fullness of the Godhead, I ask that You would fill my emptiness until I am complete in You. Amen.